Can’t focus on the plot of Ripley for all the Italy. So much glorious Italy.

At press now and publishing 20 June — ARUNDHATI ROY breaks down the architecture of modern empire —

Head of sport Jonny McFarlane talks to Dani Garavelli about her interview with Scotland manager Steve Clarke.

Buy The Herald and NutmegMagazine's Euro 2024 special to read the interview and enter a prize draw for Scotland v Germany tickets.

heraldandtimes.myshopify.com/products/euro-…

'It is sad, moving and yet also encouraging because Stout writes admirably, with intelligence, sympathy and understanding. It is a celebration of love, courage and care for others; hers is a world in which kindness holds it own.'
Allan Massie's review:
scotsman.com/arts-and-cultu…

Roman snail dye found in UK for first time, in Carlisle. Pigment worth more than gold and used to dye clothes of imperial figures. bbc.co.uk/news/england/c…

This is such a good podcast: a compassionate, moving insight into the work of a community-focused supervised drugs consumption & treatment facility in Toronto. A must-listen for all those interested in drugs policy in Scotland & our first sanctioned DCR opening later this year.

Just a friendly wee reminder that our new album is out next week! ✨

Pre order now via arabstrap.scot and from all good record shops 👍

bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0… This beautiful stained glass window Waterstones Glasgow is the last remaining remnant of La Scala Sauchiehall St. My short story about La Scala is available via BBC Sounds 📽

Polling guru Sir John Curtice tells BBC Radio 4 Today: “You’re probably looking at one of the worst, if not the worst, Conservative performances in local government elections for the last 40 years.' 👀

If you’re just waking up…

Labour win Blackpool South by-election from Tories with 26 point swing - third biggest ever.

Tories take second place by a whisker - just 107 votes ahead of Reform UK.

Lab 10825/ Con 3218/ Reform 3101

Happy birthday to us 🎂🥳 GFT was founded 50 years ago today!

We're so proud to be Glasgow's original independent cinema, THE place to share an authentic big screen experience in the Cinema City, and a home and a haven for all who share our love of film

Here's to the next 50 🥂

'A hive of unrest; and a vast oubliette. A symbol in plain sight of Great Britain’s great forgetting.' I am late to it, but this is a terrific Kathleen Jamie review of what sounds like a must-read book on ghosts, restless objects and the British Museum. newstatesman.com/culture/books/…

Jen Stout's Night Train to Odesa tells the stories of those affected by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, giving a vivid sense of life across the cities of Odesa, Kharkiv, Kyiv, and Dnipro. 🇺🇦

Dani Garavelli reviews Jen Stout’s new book, out today.
bigissue.com/culture/books/…

Dani Garavelli My close friends got this George Wyllie sculpture around thirty years ago. I named him Banff. He is still going strong. GeorgeWyllie, 1921-2012

Thomas Hardy’s Cottage. He was born in the upstairs bedroom closest to the door, and wrote Far From The Madding Crowd in the room with the roses below the window.

It's Beltane! Now in the shop - 8 x 8 prints of my Cat Worshippers giclee print. I thank you. sarahcoomershop.etsy.com/listing/170990…

Reflections from a recent trip to Kharkiv in Prospect, out in print today - and a mention on the cover!
Here's the text. I think the situation in Kharkiv is urgent and, frankly, deeply worrying. Please give it a read.
prospectmagazine.co.uk/world/europe/u…